The Union Recorder

Local Sports

September 28, 2012

Hanson earns elusive win, Braves beat Marlins 6-2

ATLANTA — Tommy Hanson ended his long winless stretch. It remains to be seen if it was enough to earn a spot in the Braves' postseason rotation.

David Ross and Andrelton Simmons raced home on left fielder Bryan Petersen's costly error, sending Hanson and Atlanta to a 6-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night.

Hanson (13-9) allowed two runs, one earned, and six hits in 5 1-3 innings for his first win since July 30, also against Miami. The right-hander was 0-4 with a 5.06 ERA in his previous seven starts.

"I think I did all right — not good, not bad," Hanson said. "I would have liked to have gone a little deeper."

Atlanta has won five in a row. The Braves, who have clinched at least a wild-card berth, remained four games behind Washington in the NL East.

Kris Medlen is expected to start for Atlanta in a wild-card game. If the Braves advance in the playoffs, a four-man rotation likely would include Tim Hudson and Mike Minor. That would leave Hanson and Paul Maholm competing for the final spot.

Hanson, who struck out four and walked two against Miami, likely will have one more regular-season start at Pittsburgh.

"He did OK," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He kept us in the ballgame. He kind of scattered the ball around control-wise."

Miami led 2-0 before the Braves scored four runs in the fourth inning. Dan Uggla and Simmons had run-scoring doubles before Jacob Turner (1-4) walked Jose Constanza to load the bases.

Petersen dropped Martin Prado's sinking liner, allowing Ross and Simmons to score.

Petersen said the ball was "in and out" of his glove.

"It's a ball I have to catch," he said. "There aren't a lot of excuses you can make right there. It's a catchable ball."

Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen was disappointed the defense didn't provide better support for Turner, who allowed four runs, two earned, and six hits in six innings.

"One of these days when this kid pitches we might play better for him," Guillen said. "I hope. Before his career's over.

"The last two outings he's pitched well but I think his teammates let him down. He was one out away from having a very good inning and we didn't do it for him."

Miami has lost seven straight for its longest slide of a disappointing year. The Marlins also were swept by the Mets during an 0-6 road trip.

"It's rough but we're still grinding," Petersen said. "The season's coming to a close but it's not over and there's still stuff that we're working on.

"We're going to push forward for momentum going into next year. Try to get as good a feeling as possible."

Atlanta swept the three-game series to finish 14-4 against the Marlins for the season.

The Braves extended their lead with two runs in the seventh. Wade LeBlanc gave up a double to Prado before loading the bases with walks to Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman. Uggla hit a two-run single off Ryan Webb.

Uggla had two hits and drove in three runs while raising his average to .217. It's been a long year for the All-Star second baseman, but this solid night prompted him to declare "I'm back."

"I'm not searching for it," Uggla said of his hitting stroke. "It's me and I'm going to do what I do from here on out."

Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones, continuing the final homestand of his career, tipped his helmet when fans rose for a standing ovation before his first at-bat in the second. Jones then took a deep breath, entered the batter's box and drew a walk. He was 0 for 3.

"That was pretty fun," Jones said of the ovation. "I wish I had played a little better tonight, but the rest of the guys picked up the slack."

Jones, 40, is retiring after the season and will be honored by the team before Friday night's game against the Mets. His parents arrived Thursday for Friday night's ceremony.

Petersen hit a leadoff double in the third and scored on Carlos Lee's two-out double down the left-field line.

The Marlins added a run in the fourth. Scott Cousins singled, moved to second on Hanson's wild pickoff throw, and scored on a double by Gil Velazquez.

NOTES: Braves CF Michael Bourn (jammed left thumb) missed his fourth straight start. An MRI showed no tear. Bourn is day to day with a slight sprain. ... Braves C Brian McCann was held out with a sore right knee. "He's just having a tough time moving around back there," Gonzalez said. ... Atlanta's Tim Hudson (16-6) will face LHP Jonathon Niese as the Braves open a weekend series against the Mets on Friday night. After the series, the Braves close the regular season with three games at Pittsburgh. ... The Marlins return to Miami to open a series against Philadelphia. Miami LHP Mark Buehrle (13-13) will face Cliff Lee (6-8).

Text Only
Local Sports
  • AOW - Lila Mitchell.JPG UR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Distance runner Mitchell a natural learner

    Coming off strong performances at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class-A Public School Division State track meet, Lila Mitchell earns this week’s Athlete of the Week honor for her performances in the both the 3,200- and 1,600-meter runs.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • g00025800000000000003a48bafdc9463051b74d8b264d6fb2f82152aea.jpg Millersville players help couple resuscitate ailing child

    The Millersville University baseball team came up with a great save this week, but it had nothing to do with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament being played at Point Stadium.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • GMC Prep girls state track 1.jpg GMC Prep girls capture third in state

    Putting up consistent performances all weekend, Georgia Military Prep School’s girl’s track team finished third overall at the Georgia High School Association’s Class-A Public School State Championships in Albany,

    May 14, 2013 2 Photos 1 Story

  • 05-10 Boone Athlete.JPG UR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Trojan’s Boone a true track guy

    After his first and only year with John Milledge Academy, senior Dwayne Boone leaves a reputation as a standup student-athlete.

    May 10, 2013 1 Photo

  • 05-07 gmc prep track relay team.jpg GMC Prep earns pair of titles in Jefferson

    Georgia Military Prep School did not disappoint, as the boy’s track team earned first place honors in two events during the Georgia High School Association’s Class-A Public School Division State Championships hosted in Jefferson Thursday through Saturday.

    May 7, 2013 1 Photo

  • UR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Baldwin Jet continues family legacy

    Baldwin County produces its share of successful athletes at the youth level.

    May 6, 2013

  • IMG_9603.JPG GMC Prep’s Lewis signs with MGSC

    Baldwin County’s two-time boy’s basketball Player of the Year, Jalen Lewis plans to extend his career to the collegiate level, signing with Middle Georgia State College on Tuesday, in the Georgia Military College Sibley Cone Library.

    May 1, 2013 1 Photo

  • Dennis named GMC girl’s basketball coach

    Following a season that saw the Georgia Military Prep School girl’s basketball team go 4-22 overall and 2-6 in the region, the GMC Prep administration decided to take another approach to building the program, naming Shawn Dennis as the new head girl’s basketball coach on Monday.

    April 30, 2013

  • Braves snag come-from-behind win

    Baldwin High baseball’s Senior Night did not disappoint, as the Braves took Washington County into extra innings at home before earning an 8-7 victory.

    April 27, 2013

  • 04-26 Hunter Mims.jpg Mims finishes strong with Athlete of the Week honor

    Serving as the only senior in Georgia Military Prep School’s lineup this spring, Hunter Mims demonstrated that he is a force to be reckoned with on the baseball field as the team’s top pitcher and batter.

    April 26, 2013 1 Photo